An Age of Innocence

A Poem

I remember believing

that the trees

had arms

that swayed in the wind,

enjoying the music

birds would sing,

on its branches.

I remember the joy of holding

a mandarin

in my tiny hands,

believing it

was the juiciest thing

in this world.

I remember running

in the wind

and falling over

and believing

that there was

no such thing

as pain

much worse

that that.

I remember almost

drowning in

beach waves, they would

force me to fall over

and I would simply laugh

and not fear it.

I remember being

at such an age

of innocence

where I

believed that I

was capable

and powerful,

that I was

beautiful

and smart,

all at an age of

innocence.

At an age

before I compared

myself to the

women in magazines,

or on my phone screen,

or where I feared

the men

that lurked in the

dark

and pondered about

if I was

good enough

for the job.

Now I am

at an age

where I question

every motive

and everyone around

me.

I question

whether or not

it was a good decision

to eat

that chicken burger

for lunch

or whether or not

they like me

or whether or not

they love me.

My age of

innocence

has left me far

beyond the years,

and I would love to

go back

but I fear

that if I do

it will no longer

be an age

of innocence.